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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "greater london" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "expressloanfirm0004@hotmail.com" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
- "expressloanfirm0004@hotmail.com" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024013815 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- expressloanfirm0004@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "EXPRESS LOAN INVESTMENT LTD." <info@loan.com>
Reply-To: expressloanfirm0004@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2011 18:08:33 +0600 (BDT)
Subject: LOAN INVESTMENT
EXPRESS LOAN INVESTMENT LTD.
Baley House, Har, Road Sutton,
Greater London SM1 4te
United Kingdom.
Email: expressloanfirm0004@hotmail.com
Dear Friend,
My name is Dr. Wilson Wath from London UK am a senior manager in express
loan investment we give out loan to both individuals and private firm at
interest rate of 3%.You can apply for a business and debt consolidation
loan to and get it with 5 working day i.e if you meet up to our
requirement.
PROVIDE US WITH YOUR DETAILS BELLOW.
Name:..............
Sex:................
Age:................
Amount Needed as loan:.......
Monthly income:...............
Mobile Number:.........
Fax Number:.............
Occupation:..............
Country:...................
State:......................
Zip / Postal Code:.......
You can apply for your business or debt consolidation loan VIA our company
email.
Regards,
Dr. Wath
+447024013815.
Email: expressloanfirm0004@hotmail.com
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